Shloka 24
Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage
Yātrā-vidhi
अश्वमेधफलं तत्र स्मृतमात्रात् तु जायते / यावच्चन्द्रश्च सूर्यश्च तावत् स्वर्गे महीयते
aśvamedhaphalaṃ tatra smṛtamātrāt tu jāyate / yāvaccandraśca sūryaśca tāvat svarge mahīyate
هناك تنشأ ثمرةٌ تعادل قربان الأشفاميدها بمجرد التذكّر؛ وما دامت الشمس والقمر باقيين يُكرَّم المرء في السماء.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing (contextual phala-śruti discourse)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By valuing mere smaraṇa (inner recollection) as equal to a grand outer sacrifice, the verse points to inwardness: true spiritual merit is rooted in consciousness and devoted remembrance, aligning action with the indwelling Self rather than relying only on external ritual scale.
The practice implied is smaraṇa—steady recollection/mental worship—an inner discipline akin to dhyāna and japa in Yoga-śāstra, where continuous remembrance becomes an ‘internal yajña’ producing lasting spiritual merit.
While not naming Śiva explicitly, the teaching reflects the Purana’s synthesis: inner devotion and yogic remembrance are upheld as supreme means across both Vaiṣṇava bhakti and Śaiva (including Pāśupata) orientations, emphasizing shared spiritual efficacy beyond sectarian ritual forms.